January 22 - Society of St. Vincent de Paul

This week I am continuing a series of columns in which I am highlighting several international associations of the faithful of Pontifical Right that are present in this parish.  Today I am featuring the International Confederation of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP).  Once again I am making use of information available on the website for the Pontifical Council for the Laity listing and describing approved Associations of the Faithful.  I have changed spelling to reflect American usage.
HISTORY
The SSVP was founded in Paris as a result of a Conference on Law and History organized by the journalist Emmanuel Bailly for university undergraduates at a time when Catholic student welfare associations were being shut down.  The intellectual purpose of these meetings did not, however, meet with the spiritual aspirations and the desire for social commitment felt by a group of students led by Fréderic Ozanam (beatified in 1997).  Convinced of the need to put words into practice in order to demonstrate the vitality of their faith, they decided to change them into Conferences of Charity, which were to be essentially lay in character, obedient to the authority of the Church, designed to sanctify their members and the poor people whom they served.  They were to be marked by simplicity, friendship, and fellowship in relations between members, with decisions taken on a collegial basis, practicing charity not as an individual activity but through group solidarity.  In 1835, after drawing up their first rule, the Conferences too the name of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, after the Saint was chosen as their patron, and in 1845 they obtained recognition by the Holy See in a brief issued by Gregory XVI.  The International Confederation of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul has consultative basis with UNESCO as an NGO.
IDENTITY
The SSVP charism is expressed and authenticated among the poor and the marginalized, and in the contribution it makes to the advancement of our suffering brethren in the light of the Gospel message and the twin heritage of St. Vincent de Paul and Fréderic Ozanam.  The association takes part in the Church’s charitable work, emphasizing a personal relationship when serving the neediest people.  It encourages the laity’s sense of responsibility, encouraging cooperation between all members of the ecclesial community.  It draws its inspiration from the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the social encyclicals.  Incorporated into different countries, by performing actions for the benefit of the poor in respect for their traditions and cultures in a world in which poverty not only means “not possessing” but also “not existing.” It also strives to make the poor the protagonists of their own human and spiritual self-fulfillment.  It contributes to the new evangelization by bearing witness to Christ through living charity on behalf of the lowliest, the voiceless, and the unloved.
LOCALLY
The St. Vincent de Paul Society helps the parish respond to requests for assistance from those in need who come seeking help.  Ongoing training and formation is provided to help members grow in a spirituality of Christ-centered service and to develop the skills needed to respond to requests.  The Society has served the needs of the poor in the Archdiocese of Washington for over 155 years.  For more information please contact the local Coordinator for SSVP:  Tony Bosnick:  (301) 840-1407; [email protected].
 
 
Until next week,
Fr. John Dillon
Pastor